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Leaving Cert Music: 20th-century revival & céilí bands

How often 20th-century revival & céilí bands comes up on the Music papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

20th-century revival & céilí bands, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on 20th-century revival & céilí bands.

(a)Seán Ó Riada formed which group in the 1960s?

(b)Kilfenora and Tulla are well-known examples of what?

(c)Which organisation, founded in 1951, runs the Fleadh Cheoil?

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(a) Ceoltóirí Chualann

(b) Céilí bands from Co. Clare

(c) Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Your turn: Higher Level questions on 20th-century revival & céilí bands.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

20th-century revival & céilí bands, 2 marks

Which groups led the 1960s ballad boom?

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The Clancy Brothers and the Dubliners

Singing ballads with guitar and banjo in a lively group style, these groups made Irish songs popular in pubs, concerts and on television.

20th-century revival & céilí bands, 3 marks

What was Seán Ó Riada's 1962 radio series about Irish music called?

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Our Musical Heritage

In Our Musical Heritage, Ó Riada explained sean-nós, harp music and dance music to a wide audience, presenting traditional music as serious art.